This scholarship honors Captain John Garrett Gardner, U.S. Marine Corps, a native of Spring Creek in Madison County, NC. Garrett graduated from Spring Creek High School in 1959, Mars Hill Junior College in 1961, and the University of Georgia in 1964 with a degree in forestry.

     At age 26, Captain Gardner was listed as "Missing In Action" after the rescue helicopter he was piloting was shot down by enemy ground fire in Laos, Southeast Asia. He received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal and numerous other awards while proudly serving with the USMC in Vietnam.

     The Federal Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office began gathering information on Gardner's case in 1973. Following interviews with local villagers and the discovery of remains and other evidence at several test sites, a full excavation of the Laotian jungle crash site was conducted in February 1999. Captain Gardner's remains were recovered in 1999 and positively identified a year later. On September 8, 2000, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

     Captain Gardner's mother bequeathed funds to Local Chapter 124, Vietnam Veterans of America, Asheville, NC. Members of Local 124, VVA, felt it appropriate and a great honor to the Gardner family to establish this scholarship fund, the purpose of which is to assist the relatives or descendants (which can include children, stepchildren and grandchildren) of active duty decorated Vietnam Veterans in their quest for higher education.

Due Date: 02/27/2026

     Since 2006, Atlantic Housing Foundation has awarded more than $20 million dollars in academic and housing scholarships to over 1,100 students across the country. Scholarships are open to any student enrolled at an accredited university/technical school or in a certification program including GED, Vo-Tech or licensing courses such as cosmetology, bookkeeping, welding, real estate, etc.

Scholarship recipients are eligible to receive the following award amounts for up to eight consecutive semesters:

• Academic Scholarships: up to $1,500 per semester to be used towards tuition, books and other education-related expenses. Award amounts are based on full-time or part-time student status.

• Housing Scholarships: covers monthly rent for students for up to eight semesters (four years) at an AHF property in Denton, San Marcos or Huntsville, TX.

• Transforming Communities: The Dan French Real Estate Scholarship: To honor the legacy of AHF’s founder, this scholarship supports students pursuing studies in real estate. Eligible applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a real estate major or related field.  Recipients are awarded $5,000 per semester to be used towards tuition, books, and other education-related expenses for up to eight semesters.

• Sharon Whaley Scholarship for Educators and Sharon Murphy Excellence in Education Scholarship: Atlantic Housing has a strong desire to encourage and assist students who have the potential of becoming outstanding teachers. These scholarships will award each student $2,500 per semester to be used towards tuition, books and other education-related expenses.

• Bart Marantz Legacy Scholarship: Atlantic Housing has a strong desire to encourage and assist students who are seeking careers in the field of music. This scholarship will award each student $2,500 per semester to be used towards tuition, books, and other education-related expenses.

Due Date: 02/01/2026

*Be Enrolled at an accredited university/technical school or in a certification program

     The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is proud to offer the Matthew C. Graziadei Achievement Scholarship Award to a North Carolina high school senior with a disability. This award  includes a $1,500 scholarship, to be used for any post-high school learning experience/training or for equipment/technology needed for employment. 

     Matthew Carmen Graziadei was a remarkable young man who died in January 1998 at the age of 26.  At the age of seven Matt was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. He graduated from Myers Park  High School in Charlotte, NC, and was elected to Who’s Who in American High School Students. Matt was a student intern at the Charlotte Mint Museum and served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association both locally and statewide. He achieved President’s Honors at Central Piedmont Community College and served in Washington, DC with the US Surgeon General’s Council on Families and Disabilities. Matt also started his own business and was a contractor in facilities, engineering, and computer services. 

     Scholarship Award recipients will be selected by the Matthew C. Graziadei Scholarship Award Review  Board based on these attributes: 

• Determination - reaching above one’s imagination 

• Perseverance - remaining steadfast against all odds 

• Persistence - starting from scratch and striving until successful 

• Dedication - maintaining solid effort and achievement 

• Confidence - overcoming obstacles through internal courage 

• Motivation - seeing life as a series of opportunities, not obstacles

• Fortitude - keeping going after others have stopped 

• Accomplishment - succeeding with on-going new vision 

Due Date: 02/20/2026

     The Florence Kidder Memorial Scholarship (FKMS) honors the memory of the first president of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of North Carolina, Florence Hill Kidder. Six scholarships will be awarded in one year: First place- $3,000, second place- $1,000, third place- $800 and three fourth places- $400. Awarded to a high school senior who plans to attend a post-secondary institution in North Carolina.

2026 Essay Topic: Exploring the Voices of Early Carolina: Life, Hardship and Settlement Through Primary Sources

     Any written text can tell us about the time in which it was written. It can provide direct information but also offers insight through subtle implications and context. Because the NSCDA-NC is dedicated to deepening our understanding and appreciation of America’s colonial past, you will be analyzing firsthand accounts written by individuals who lived during the earliest years of English exploration and settlement in Carolina.

     In your essay, describe what life was like during this period, highlighting the hardships and challenges faced by both early European settlers and the Indigenous peoples of the region.

Due Date: 02/08/2026

     The Dell Scholars program helps you earn your degree and launch your career. Each year, 500 students nationwide become Dell Scholars, gaining financial assistance, academic advising, career coaching, and a team of dedicated experts who support them every step of the way.

Due Date: 02/15/2026

*Be a high school senior participating in an approved college readiness program (Gear-Up & Upward Bound)